“ I encourage clients to sing , to achieve expression with the most personal of instruments — the voice ,” he adds .
Having wrestled with recurrent depression throughout his life , Clark ’ s relationship with music has been an asset to his career ; “ I have been using music as a therapeutic outlet in my own life for years .”
In an example of how music therapy can
Whether through writing , visual arts , music , drama or other forms of art therapy , Anderson asserts that simply “ being ‘ heard ’” can have a calming effect . In building a relationship through facilitated creation , individuals participating in art therapy receive companionship and guidance from their therapists during sessions , enabling the externalization of internal struggles and , ultimately , personal resolution . aid in addressing internalized tension , Graff describes a young man she worked with who was “ very emotionally labile .” Graff would facilitate songwriting with him , listen as he
The Experts : sang his experience , and ensure that he felt supported in the session . “ It is a very cathartic experience . After the song is ‘ out ’, he is able to move on ,” she reflects .
Through NNMT , Graff also offers a musical theatre program which enables group interaction and collaboration towards a common goal , an activity that also allows individuals to take each other ’ s perspectives and opinions into account . “ These are all skills that are sometimes quite difficult for participants in ‘ real life ’,” Graff says .
“ Being in a therapeutic group experience emphasizes the understanding that we are all one . What you do or say , or how you feel in a group affects the others ,” adds Anderson , who also mediates group art therapy sessions .
Further emphasizing Graff and Clark ’ s practice , a study in 2014 found a strong correlation between the effects of music therapy and improved “ social interaction , verbal communication , initiating behaviour and social-emotional reciprocity ” with children on the autism spectrum .
Leesa Landry , Expressive Art Therapist & Author Life — On Purpose !: https :// www . facebook . com / mylifeonpurpose / The Create Institute : http :// www . thecreateinstitute . org / board-of-directors . html Author of : “ The Gift of Divorce : How the Ending of Your Relationship Can Be the Beginning of Finding your True Path in Life ”
Debbie Anderson , Art Therapist Debbie Anderson Art Therapy : http :// www . debbieandersonarttherapy . com /
Katherine Graff , Music Therapist Note by Note Music Therapy : http :// www . notebynotemusictherapy . com /
Gordon Clark , Music Therapist Music Inspirit : www . musicinspirit . com Note by Note Music Therapy : http :// www . notebynotemusictherapy . com / MTC Studios : http :// www . mtcstudio . ca /
Expressive Art Therapy ( EXAT ) Described by Landry as an “ intermodal approach to the arts ”, EXAT includes all art forms in its method , from drama to voice , to visual arts and more . “ It allows my client and myself not to be limited to just one tool , and gives the client freedom and unconstructed opportunity to play through their issues .”